Forget Resolutions, These Are My 2023 New Year’s Rejections

/ Ally Bean

My brain trust. Obviously

How My New Year’s Rejections Came To Be

THANKS TO EVERYONE who read my last post and answered my question, a call to action, about what I should write about next.  You’re the best, my personal brain trust.  I was feeling indecisive and needed some help.

I’ve never asked for guidance like that before and given the chance to tell me what to do y’all came through. Come to find out my brain trust wants me to write about what I’m rejecting in 2023.  

Oddly enough I tossed that topic into the choices at the last minute before hitting publish.

A friend and I had been talking about how comfortable we are rejecting trends and ideas that at one time would have seemed important to us. We got laughing about what we dubbed our New Year’s Rejections.

We weren’t saying that a particular idea, a solution, or a way of living is bad for everyone, just that something doesn’t work for us. Rejection is a sound concept if you’re clear about your underlying assumptions and what space you’ll create in your life because of it.

 What I’m Rejecting This Year

GETTING TO MY LIST of New Year’s Rejections a la 2023, I give you the following that I shall be rejecting for at least a year, maybe longer:

√ Newsletters – From a marketing point of view I understand them. They’re a way for a business/author to distribute information to their customers/readers keeping everyone up to date. They’re predicated on the hope that the customer/reader actually reads the newsletter and doesn’t send it directly to spam.

However as a person who receives these newsletters, I don’t like them. I rarely read them because they seem more like advertisements for new products than sources of information. There’s no engagement with the company/author and I sense I’m a mark, a pawn in someone’s game. This makes me feel irritable so I’ve unsubscribed to the ones I was receiving.

Assumption rejected? I am gaining valuable insight and information.

√ Cocktails – As I imbibed a few over the holidays I realized that: 1) I wasn’t taken with any of them; 2) they were fussy and expensive; and 3) that I prefer a shot of top-shelf liquor neat, or on the rocks, or with a splash of club soda. Thus I’ve decided to simplify my life, save money, and forgo mixed drinks.

Assumption rejected? I am having fun because I’m drinking something fancy.

√ Steps Per Day – I’ve never been one to judge my physical healthiness based exclusively on numbers, whether the numbers are external validation &/or criticism. I think that trusting myself to know how to live my life is the best approach, especially when it comes to walking.

To wit, there’ll be no recording of my steps each day. Instead, I’ll move when I want to, the amount I want to. I’ll walk with no preconceived idea [10,000 steps] of what I have to accomplish each day.

Assumption rejected? I am being healthy by focusing on and knowing a number.

√ Sweet potatoes/yams – Okay, I understand the reason why these starchy vegetables are good for me. They’re filled with fiber and minerals and magical properties helpful to women of a certain age. However, potatoes shouldn’t be sweet, they just shouldn’t. If I eat a potato, it’s going to be a basic old Idaho spud– or some redskin new potatoes.

Assumption rejected? I am eating something good for me.

√ Word of the Year – In 2011 I started picking one word to be my word of the year. I’ve continued this tradition for about a decade BUT more years than not my word of the year hasn’t made me feel good about my life.

That is, instead of getting a smoother or simplified or enjoyable year, I’ve gotten the opposite. The gods have laughed in my face. Thus I’m foregoing a word of the year to see if, by chance, I don’t need it.

Assumption rejected? I am living my best life because I circle back to a word, a 21st century talisman for self-improvement.

AND FINALLY THREE READER COMMENTS…

ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES with Alexa:

“Our Alexa is a buttinsky quite often. Just yesterday, I was chatting with my husband and daughter about crackers and Alexa piped up, “I’ve added crackers to your grocery list.” No thank you, Alexa. And then she wanted to know if we wanted a suggestion for something she thinks we need to re-order. NO THANK YOU ALEXA.”

~ Suzanne

“That’s funny what Alexa did and said. I’ve had her answer questions on TV when her name is said in a commercial or TV show.”

~ Jean

“We have never activated Alexa or Siri on any of our devices, finding the idea of them sitting there listening to our inane chatter rather creepy. Unbeknownst to us, however, my husband’s new Kindle reader came with Alexa activated. One evening, we were watching some show in which an actor asked his device to find a particular song he had been looking for. Almost immediately, a voice came from Bill’s Kindle asking if this was the song we were looking for, and some piece of music started playing. We did lose our stuffing, and disabled the little snoop faster than you can sing ‘Hit the Road, Jack.'”

~ Donna

239 thoughts on “Forget Resolutions, These Are My 2023 New Year’s Rejections”

  1. I like the idea of rejecting things that do not work for me. I think I do it frequently but without acknowledgement. I did the word for a year a few times and found it limiting rather than being helpful. Our daughter makes a delicious dish consisting of roasted brussel sprouts, onions, and sliced sweet potatoes. Sounds bizarre, but so delicious. I’m rejecting the Irish potatoes and keeping the sweet potatoes (although I love both). Have a gentle migration into 2023, Ally.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Oh I love these rejections. I so agree with the word of the year, it’s like my mom says “Be careful what you pray for!” because as soon as I get a word, I feel like my life says “Let’s really challenge that!” and whatever word I am trying to embody becomes the most difficult thing to accept.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Colleen, yes, yes! You’re so right about picking a word of the year, then watching as life trips you up every which way. It’s exactly like the warning to be careful what you pray for. I thought I might be the only one who’s had this experience with a word of the year. Glad I’m not alone.

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  3. Happy New Year, Ally! Was it you…or that darn Alexa…creeping in to listen to a conversation, recently had in our house? Your comment about potatoes, “However, potatoes shouldn’t be sweet, they just shouldn’t. If I eat a potato, it’s going to be a basic old Idaho spud– or some redskin new potatoes” is nearly transcript-identical to something the hubster lamented, just a day or so ago. He hates sweet potatoes too — for the same reasons you’ve summed up. Such fun – your whole list!
    😉😉😉

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  4. I can’t reject newsletters, cocktails, words-of-the-year, or step-counting, because I never adopted them. But sweet potatoes? A favorite, especially in a spinach-sweet potato-onion sauté. They’re so full of vitamins and other good things; just don’t impose them on me with a sugary glaze or marshmallows.

    As to what I’d reject in the new year? I’m not sure about that. Sugar, maybe. But you’ve given me something to think about at work today!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Linda, I see what you mean about not being able to reject things you’ve never taken to. There’s probably a lesson to be learned with your choice to not join in to begin with.

      As for sweet potatoes I understand how nutritious they are, but I don’t like them and I’m tired of pretending. I especially don’t like them with little marshmallows. I’d forgotten about that way to prepare them. Dare I say, yuck!

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  5. I agree with you about newsletters from companies/corporations, but I love newsletters that I have actively signed up for. The newsletters ARE the product so to speak, so they’re not trying to sell something (except, maybe, a paid subscription so they can earn some money). I guess it ultimately depends on the newsletter. One thing that has definitely helped me is turning on gmail’s priority inbox notifications, so I don’t get notifications on my phone for things like newsletter or automated emails from companies. I don’t get pulled from what I’m doing and get a pleasant surprise to see “Oh! I got another newsletter from so-and-so, awesome!”

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    • Steve, I know most people enjoy newsletters which is why I signed up for many of them. Some were from authors, some were from professors, some were from news reporters, but all of them left me cold, like a pawn not a supporter. I get no notifications for anything on my phone. Just won’t do it. I get to things in my own time, not when someone else wants me to respond. I’m stubborn that way. 🤨

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  6. I hear ya. My word of the year is NO. I began last year by saying I’d be kinder to myself and quit doing things I don’t wanna do, and I’m continuing and amplifying that this year. Why the heck should we eat things we dislike? That’s a basic NO!

    Liked by 5 people

    • Paula, I’m enjoying your take on the word of the year. Well done. I understand what you’re getting at with it, we all need boundaries lest we get sucked into a myriad of unnecessary commitments and weirdnesses that don’t behoove us. Like eating those darned sweet potatoes, for instance.

      Liked by 1 person

    • I love the idea of rejecting what does not make sense, of rethinking old assumptions and seeing if they still hold true, of quitting things that we should not be doing anymore, even if they’re a (bad) ingrained habit. There’s something Carl Sagan once wrote

      “One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”

      I’m glad to know folks that are part of the precious few!

      Liked by 2 people

      • Endless Weekend, a great line: “The bamboozle has captured us. AIN’T THAT THE TRUTH? I’ve rejected old assumptions and am ready to face 2023 with the ability to find the space I need to grow.

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  7. I love your rejection list. It is super!

    I watched my steps for a few months. Since I forget numbers almost instantly, I stopped. I know that on days I walk to the creek, I will surpass the goal for the day. That’s enough to know.

    There is one mixed drink that I enjoy, and I stick with it. John’s godfather told me I’d like it, so he ordered it for me. It was marvelous. It’s my go-to drink which I have only when someone offers to pay for it. This is not the road to alcoholism.

    I admired people who chose a word for the year. There were way too many to choose from, so I never did it. Thank you for freeing me of guilt.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I love your rejections! I’m with you on most of them. As someone who used to be the editor of newsletters for various non-profits, let me be the first to say they are redundant. Especially today, when the same information can be found quickly online by anyone interested.

    I have the same thoughts as you on cocktails. Pricey and uber-sweet; not good for anyone’s glucose levels. I’m sticking with wine. But I’m sad that you dislike sweet potatoes. They’ve always been a favorite of mine.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Bijoux, YES! You’ve explained my issue with newsletters perfectly. I’m a curious, well read person who is able to find information when I need to. But having it dumped on me by newsletters makes me squirm and snarl.

      I figure at this point in my life I’ve drunk enough different cocktails to know what they’re like– and I can forego them in the future, comfortable with my decision. I like wine, too. Much easier and less pricey. Sorry about the sweet potatoes, NOT. 😉

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    • Rivergirl, I am more than happy to let you drink all the cocktails you want, the fancier and fruitier the better. I’ll just have a shot of Grey Goose on the rocks with a twist of lemon– and watch you enjoy your drink.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I find this to be a very well rounded list, and very practical Ally Bean. I’m picky with my newsletter subscriptions to begin with and will keep those around for now. I don’t drink, and I have never been one to feel obliged to count much of anything or pick a word to live by. I will however keep sweet potatoes in my rotation. I do love them, more than the regular kind- unless the regular kind is roasted in olive oil to the perfect level of crispy goodness.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Deb, I admit I may regret cancelling some of my newsletter subscriptions, but I figure this isn’t all or nothing. SHOULD I want to receive them again, I’ll sign up again, BUT for now they’re out of my life.

      I tried the word of the year approach to self-improvement as well as counting my steps. Both annoy me, so no mas. As for sweet potatoes, I do wish I liked them more, I know they’re nutritious, but they taste awful to me… so why am I eating them? [rhetorical question]

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  11. I think I had already long ago rejected most of your New Years rejections. Advertising and propaganda is everywhere, and newsletters are a pretty blatant form of it. I’ve never had a cocktail, or alcohol in any form. Sweet potatoes and yams…. no. Counting steps, really? These people need a job like I have where you’re literally on your feet for eight hours. As for the Word of the Year….. well, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of the normal flapdoodle and twaddle since I enjoy your way with words and the fact that you coined my blog’s tagline “It’s a treasure trove of absurdity.”

    Liked by 2 people

    • evilsquirrel13, you’re an enlightened squirrel and I love you for it. You’ve explained how I perceive newsletters– and they’re too much for me. I can be informed without them, thank you very much.

      I’ll still drink some alcohol, but not in a fancy cocktail. I’m a WASP after all so we have to drink once in a while, it’s part of my DNA and upbringing. Reminds me, in a good way, of family.

      I’d forgotten about your tagline and am honored to have been the one to say it first. I promise that I’ll still be flapdoodle-y and twaddle-ish here, maybe more so now that I’m free from the chains of a yearly word.

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  12. Word of the year has never intrigued me although I admire people who can focus. Perhaps my attention span is too short. Sweet potatoes, yes! Love my age card. Typical response when asked to do something I don’t want to “I’m old, you can’t expect me to (fill in the blank).” I find it works nicely. No guilt.

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  13. Steps per day has been a reject from day one of its marketing campaign (notice I used a number in my sentence?)
    It’s like having your HS Gym teacher along with you during your daily activities and intruding on your walks out in nature for daily fun & breaks. Geesh.
    I ask you, do Parisian women – who walk everywhere and are svelte – comptez leurs pas?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Laura, YES!!! You said it: “It’s like having your HS Gym teacher along with you during your daily activities and intruding on your walks out in nature for daily fun & breaks.” THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT IT’S LIKE. And I did not like most of my gym teachers… I shall become/remain svelte the Parisian way. Merci

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dan, I like the idea that by rejecting something I’m making room in my life for something better. It’s all a matter of semantics, though. You want to prioritize what is important to you, then it all comes down to how you frame your goal in your mind.

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  17. I think I missed your last post, but I would’ve voted for this topic all day long. I am totally ready to reject things that I feel are weighing me down or making me feel like I have to jump through hoops. I would like to reject grocery shopping, but guessing that wouldn’t end well.

    I will be pondering this rejection mindset and can’t wait to see what I will free myself from.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Ernie, the idea of rejecting some things appeals to me because it’s a way to declutter my life. I’m not saying everyone should stop doing what I’m rejecting, but that by intentionally eliminating some things there’ll be more room for me to do the things I like/need to better.

      While I take your point about rejecting grocery shopping I’m going to agree with you about what’d happen. Maybe you could reject something less life-sustaining?

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  18. I salute all of your rejections, Ally (sort of a “housecleaning” for 2023, right?) and two in particular. Your comments on newsletters remind me of the glossy “magazines” you get in the mail these days, disguised as local about-town coverage when in fact four out of five pages are advertising. And your comments on 10,000 steps remind me how the strap on my Fitbit broke several weeks ago, and rather than replace it I simply opted for a smart-looking analog watch. I know when I’ve been active versus not active – no counter needs to tell me so.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dave, yes, this list is a means of lifestyle housecleaning for me. Well said. We get those glossy “magazines” here, too. Like yours, there are almost entirely advertisements for services and things I don’t want, but dagnabbit they’re pretty… just like the newsletters.

      I used to have a Fitbit but ditched it after the battery went bonkers yet again. I agree that I’m sure about when I’ve been active verse sedentary and don’t need a gadget to goad me into doing anything. Hence, that which I’m rejecting.

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  19. Yes yes yes – reject left right and centre. It’s very free-ing! One thing I am going to try is to limit time on devices. It’s soooooo distracting eg those darned newsletters, even the ones I signed up for. And those I didn’t – where the h they got my details is anyone’s guess but shew wah, madly annoying.

    Sweet potatoes – cooked baked or fried (as in chips) – about a 7.8/10.

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      • Thanks, Susan. My husband said the same thing when he saw this post on his cell phone. I never know for sure which pictures will look great when I post them. 🤷‍♀️

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    • Susan, ha! You’re right that rejecting things/ideas is freeing. I am all about goals but ones that I want to pursue, now that I have more time to focus on them. I know what you mean about spending time online. I enjoy reading content that informs or entertains, but endless scrolling is pointless. Fortunately I don’t suffer from FOMO [fear of missing out] so I will be doing less online, too.

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  20. Happy New Year Ally! Well stated. Resolutions. Bah! As told you, I’ve never made them. This year was to be different. I made one and have already broken it. My resolution was to start writing again. This is as far as I’ve gone down that path. As an excuse, my wife and I have both had surgeries in the last two weeks and recovery has taken much of our time. I will at least give it shot now that we are both in better places. But first, some neglected house cleaning.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Johnny, I’d say that you’ve postponed your resolution, not broken it. If you’re recovering from surgery, that takes priority. You’ll be resolved when the time is right for you. Take care & enjoy your housecleaning [a sentence I don’t think I’ve ever written or said before].

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  21. Rejecting things feels so good, like a good purge. Rejecting things, and sometimes people, who don’t work for me has been my habit for years. You have a good list there except I can’t reject sweet potatoes. I love them even sweeter cooked with brown sugar and butter. But like you inferred , rejecting very subjective.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jennifer, you’ve explained my reasoning quite well. I do feel better by stating what I’m rejecting– and why. It’s always the why of things. I have rejected a few people over time, too. Maybe that’s part of becoming a wise woman. You may eat all the sugar-y sweet potatoes you want, with my compliments. Just none for me

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  22. These are excellent and make sense. It’s all about letting go of our expectations and embracing the reality. I don’t think one word can cover a whole year plus it’s so amorphous. How do we put it into action terms? I’ve gone away from the 10,000 steps too, probably because it’s rare for me to reach them lately between weather, health and other situations.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Margaret, yep, reality is where I’m headed. I understand the theory behind all the things I’m rejecting, but I don’t want to do them anymore so I won’t. I walk, you walk, it’s all good.

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  23. I love this idea about rejecting New Year Resolutions!

    Thanks for the heads up about Alexa being activated in new Kindles!!! I’ll be shutting it down too!

    Happy New Year, Ally. I hope it’s an exciting, and fun year, and some walks. 😃

    Liked by 2 people

  24. One of the reasons I do quarterly goals is because I can easily change things out throughout the year if it’s not working for me. So, the goal to do a 30-day plank challenge was easily changed because it turns out that I have no desire to do a plank every day (or ANY day, if I’m being entirely truthful). I guess maybe I would just say “reject for now” in case you ever want to go back to something, like counting steps or having the occasional cocktail.

    Liked by 2 people

    • NGS, your reasoning make sense, especially about the plank challenge. I agree with you that I needn’t think of these rejections as permanent for the whole year, I’m permitted to refine them as need be. The cocktail one may be the first to be revised, depending on where we go out to dinner– and with whom. 🍸

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  30. My gosh, those Alexa stories are creepy. Again, so fun of you to share reader comments.

    This whole concept of streamlining your life by being honest about what you like and don’t like, is awesome. It’s sort of like a closet cleanse but more of a mind cleanse. I totally approve.

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    • Betsy, I knew Alexa could be weird, but the comments confirmed it. Don’t know what to make of her, truth be told.

      Yes, you’ve explained what I’m doing better than I did. Thanks for your approval. It’s not like any of the things I’m rejecting are ‘hills to die on,’ but I do feel like if I get rid of them I’ll be better off. So reject them I will.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Simplifying one’s life is a good thing. I’ve done the same with newsletters, and it brings such a freeing sensation. Sadly, I can’t do the same with cocktails because I just love trying new things. 🙂 And I’ve never been a huge sweet potato girl, so that one was easy. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        • I want to adore newsletters, I really do, BUT I can’t seem to get over the idea that I could be using my reading time in better ways. I’ve had a lot of cocktails in my life so for one year I think I can forego them [except for an icy cold martini at a fancy steak place]. As for sweet potatoes… *meh*

          Liked by 1 person

  31. I always have felt that in order to be successful with life, you have to know and recognize your weaknesses as well as your strengths. It seems to me it also makes sense that in order to enjoy life, you not only have to recognize and advance what you like, you also would recognize and reject what you don’t. Great post, Ally. Reject away!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Bruce, this is a wonderfully insightful comment. You’re right about knowing your strengths/weaknesses and then going for that which serves you, rejecting what doesn’t serve you. I know some people think of rejection as a bad concept, but I like how it focuses me on what matters. Thanks for joining in with a comment.

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  32. I have nothing witty to add, which seems a shame, given the fun nature of your post and the comments I’m currently snooping through. But I’m with you on letting go of things that don’t add value. And cheers to a newsletter-less, yam-less, step-counting-less, cocktail-less, word of the year-less 2023!

    Liked by 2 people

  33. You doing you is exactly what it boils down to. In a funny upbeat way, which is very Ally Bean. It’s kind of like a declutter to start the year with a clean slate. Good plan.

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  34. I like your list of rejections and agree with most of them. I don’t eat potatoes at all as I have kidney disease (well controlled) and potatoes (sweet potatoes and that entire family) are very hard on kidneys (also ibuprofen; it causes a lot of damage).

    There is no Siri or Alexa over here. I just find them way too creepy and I also want to preserve what I have left of my privacy. Drones drive me nuts. The last time one hovered near my deck (illegal in this country) I walloped it with a plastic garbage can and made it crash. Good.

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  35. Great job with those rejections. The only one of those I continue with is the word of the year. Mine for this year is delight. But, I don’t let it define me. And steps, meh, if I get them I get them. Happy New Year Ally!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Janet, I know that many people get good vibes from choosing and referencing a word of the year. I tried, but wasn’t delighted by what happened. As for the steps, too much bother for little encouragement, if’n you ask me. Happy New Year to you, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. One of the reasons my phone is now my Kindle is I never found a way to disable Alexa on the Fire tablets. You kill the process, it comes right back. I do use Siri for minor tasks (“turn on the flashlight,” “Turn off the flashlight,” “Set the timer for one hour,” etc.) but I prefer to do my own searches. And no, I don’t do resolutions or word-of-the-year, either.

    My Mom and stepfather loved Manhattans, and every year, on their birthdays and wedding anniversary, my brother (whose Dad is the aforementioned stepfather) has one in their honor. I don’t drink anymore, but for me, a beer or a shot of Jack Daniel’s, either on its own, on the rocks, or mixed with water or Coke, was sufficient. Sometimes a good Scotch…

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    • John, I didn’t know about the Alexa connection on Kindles [or Fire tablets] until Donna left her comment. My Kindle [that I rarely use] is OLD. As for resolutions, not my thing. And the word of the year concept has tripped me up for the last time.

      My parents drank Manhattans, too. I understand why your stepbrother drinks one in your parents’ honor. I drink bourbon for much the same reason, but I drink it neat. I like to think of it as progress. 🥃

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  37. I’ll probably reject home improvement shows! They’re getting awfully sappy. I don’t know how many times I’ve accidentally hit the voice control on my Mac and had to apologize. “What do you want?” She says. “Oh, I’m so sorry … what a klutz I am. Forgive me for bothering you.. Please go back to what you were doing.”

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    • Jan, I haven’t watched a home improvement show it years. I used to love HGTV but somewhere along the line I lost interest, probably because the shows are sappy, like you said.

      I’ve never hit my voice control on Keyzia, my iMac. I didn’t know she’d pipe up when I did hit it. I am a quiet soul, one who likes her techie gadgets to be differential. You understand.

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  38. I embrace the concept of rejecting things (and people) that no longer – or maybe never – make a positive impact on our lives. I’m also fully on board with including sweet potatoes on the list. I know “they are yummy,” I know “they are good for me” I know I “should like them.” NOPE! I’d add beets (for the exact same reasons) too. As far as cocktails go, I’m more of a wine person. But, if someone else wants to make me a fancy drink – a lemon drop martini, perhaps – I’m all in.

    I’m not sure what “newsletters” are exactly… are they like blogs? Anyway, I have also “rejected” a few blogs I used to follow when I found that seeing a link appear in my email inbox didn’t spark joy.

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    • Janis, yep it’s the “maybe never” aspect of things and people that I’ve been thinking about lately. I’m happy to know there’s another woman who has rejected the allegedly healthy sweet potato. I’ll admit that during this year if I find myself somewhere that makes an excellent martini I’ll indulge, but as for sweet fruity cocktails, no thanks.

      Newsletters are emails that you sign up for because you like the author of the newsletter. The author may be internationally renown or a blogger with a side gig– and by receiving this newsletter, sometimes for a cost, you’re offered insights. Newsletters are more hidden that blogs and offer no public interaction with the author.

      I don’t follow any blogs that don’t spark joy. That being said, I can only read about one post per week from the blogs I follow. I love these people, but I do have a life outside of blogland. ‘Ya know?

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      • Oh, man… I agree so much about multiple posts a week. I think maybe the blogger read somewhere that that was the way to get a following. Unless the posts are short AND interesting, I just move along. Do I think I’m so interesting that anyone wants to read about every this and that of my life? Nope.

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        • Laughing here. You’re probably right about the why of the idea of posting multiple times per week– or daily. Maybe you get a following doing that, I dunno. I feel the same way about my life as you do. I post when something happens but not everything that happens. It’s a choice I suppose.

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  39. Yay, Ally, you’re back! I missed your posts! Happy New Year!

    I fully support your rejections while fully embracing the very things you reject, except for the word of the year. I can never think of a word and frankly, I don’t want to, which is reason enough to reject. There are so many things that I have to do that I don’t want to, I’m not going to add to the pile! I do love sweet potatoes, though, especially roasted and in fry form. On that note, I’m feeling a bit peckish! No sweet potatoes on today’s menu, though, maybe for the weekend. I will eat all your share and then some! Isn’t that what friends are for?

    Liked by 2 people

    • Nicole, you’ve nailed the essence of friendhship: you eat all the sweet potatoes you want, my share in fact. WITH MY COMPLIMENTS. And drink all the cocktails you want to. I don’t care if people reject the same things that I do, I just think that stating that which you no longer wants allows you to have space to do what makes you happy. And I’m ready to be happy, dammit.

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  40. This is so timely; my blog post tomorrow is going to be all about how I’m unsubscribing from all sorts of newsletters and mailing lists. I’d never thought of it as a form of “rejection” but it is. I’m shocked how many things I’ve been able to unsubscribe from over the last week. DOZENS of things that I rarely read and would just swipe left to Delete – but why keep receiving them in the first place?

    And Happy New Year!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Elisabeth, you’ve found yourself in the same place I did. I looked at my email one day and thought WHY am I getting these newsletters that I don’t read or want or can even explain why I signed up for them. No more, said I. I’m good at finding information on my own + a cleaner email box is a delight to behold. Looking forward to your take on this.

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  41. I love the idea of new year’s rejections! I’ve long maintained that saying “no” is always a way of saying “yes” to something else. I worked with teens for a loooong time, and it became much easier when I realized that a behavior that might look like not caring (say, not doing an assignment) is always about caring about something else. There just isn’t room in our days/lives for all the things we might let into them. Your list is much in alignment with ideas about minimalism and slow living. Maybe if, instead of spending so much energy thinking about and trying to procure what we want, we focused more on what we don’t want, we’d all be happier.

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    • Rita, I like how you envision this concept. You’re right that when you reject one thing you’re caring more about something else. Rejection is one side of a two-sided sword.

      I hadn’t thought about slow living, although I realized I was onboard with minimalism. I agree that by rejecting/deleting what we don’t want we ultimately have more. What’s the saying? Addition by subtraction?

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  43. Told ya I’d make it over here eventually! And THANK YOU for saying it out loud – potatoes are NOT meant to be sweet! Sweet potatoes are an abomination. A baked sweet potato? No, thank you! A baked potato? Yes, please!

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    • Gigi, we’re on the same page about potatoes. I know that just about everyone I know loves sweet potatoes, but not me. Happy to meet another potato outlier.

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  45. My husband and daughter love sweet potatoes…baked, mashed, french fried. I wish I liked them, because they are healthier than potatoes. But I don’t. So I don’t eat them. We’re (you and I) smart like that. Also, I also don’t enjoy counting my steps. One exception for me was when I was in France in September, because we walked SO MUCH, so it was fun to keep track of it.

    Liked by 1 person

    • J., yep sweet potatoes are not right. I’m glad you realize this too! I can understand why keeping track of steps when you were in France was fun. That makes sense to me, but during normal life what is the point? To give yourself a sense of good health? Don’t you know that intuitively, steps be damned?

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  46. Par down to only those things that are pleasing – your rejections plan sounds masterful! You know I’m an unrepentant anagram lover, and can’t help rearranging words. Rejections anagrams into
    inject rose” and to my way of thinking if we could inject roses into everything there won’t be a need to reject anything because everything would be so fabulous. The world needs a lot of things, but maybe more roses would be a good thing. Or possibly that’s an entirely rejectable idea. 🙂

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    • Deborah, what a fun take on rejections. I like roses and wouldn’t mind seeing more of them, both literal and figurative, in my life. Very clever way to think about this idea. I don’t know if I’ll succeed in rejecting everything on my list all year but I’ll try.

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  47. I’m not big on sweet potatoes, but I know they are good for you – perhaps if I had a microwave, it would be easier to make them. I recently unsubscribed to several newsletters I was following, but will keep one of each in an e-mail folder – maybe I’ll go back to them when I’m retired and have more time, as I certainly don’t have much time now between work, walking and blogging.

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    • Linda, it’s easy to make sweet potatoes in the microwave, but they’re STILL a sweet potato. Just saying…

      Coming from a communications background I want to adore newsletters, but instead I feel like I’ve created my own hell with more email to sort and read. I’ll reject them for a year to see where that leaves me. I can always re-subscribe again if I feel like I’ve made a mistake.

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      • I know some people cut their sweet potatoes and put them in an air fryer – they look good. I follow a blogger who loves her air fryer and makes sweet potato fries.

        I was following too many newsletters so I had to cut them out. Like magazines back in the day – as I read more and more online, I let all the subscriptions lapse, especially “People” magazine which I had for many years, then didn’t know anyone they were writing about.

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        • We don’t have an air fryer but people who have them love them. Sweet potato fries might be good made in one. I dunno. It seems easier to just forget that sweet potatoes/yams exist entirely.

          Back in the day I got lots of magazines, too. I’ve let all those subscriptions lapse because the mags turned into 90% advertisements/10% information. I never got People though. I didn’t know who anyone was in it even when I was young enough to supposedly know!

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          • Easier to forget about the sweet potatoes altogether. Years ago in college I had a media class of some type and People magazine had just launched. We had to pick a media form to analyze the entire class (trimester); I chose People. It was better in the beginning.

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            • Interesting class and choice for analysis. I don’t remember a time without People magazine. I know I read copies while waiting at the hair salon and at doctors’ offices but never had a subscription. I believe you when you say it was better in the beginning.

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  48. I like the idea, Ally. There are so many things just waiting to be rejected!! (I don’t count steps either. If you must keep doing steps, it will be fine. 🙂 ) I’m heading off to make a list of rejectables. What fun!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, I’m pleased that this idea resonates with you. Friend and I thought it was fun, too. I figure that the things I’m rejecting this year can be added back into my life next year [or sooner], if I so decide.

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    • The Travel Architect, stating my rejections has been freeing while stating any resolution always seems to me to be a trap. It was the price of the drinks that first got me thinking about rejecting cocktails. Then I looked down at what I was drinking and realized I wasn’t even enjoying it. So forget them this year.

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  51. I eat sweet potatoes because I love them, period. Actually, I love all potatoes. I eat Brussels sprouts for the very same reason.

    We haven’t lived this long to get Bossed Around, even by ourselves. Happy New Year, Ally.

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    • Nance, you said it! I will not let me be bossed around by me. Apropos of my New Year’s Rejections there’s an old saying: don’t let the world *should* on you! Seems like good advice.

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  52. I think this is a wonderful way to start the new year. I’m with you on the sweet potatoes. I try and try to like them in place of white potatoes, but when I want a potato, I want a potato. I’ve banished sweet potatoes to the occasional hash or soup or stew (where, sometimes, they’re okay).

    Interesting take on a word for the year. I’ve had a similar experience with the gods laughing at me. I think I must like amusing them because I keep coming back for more.

    Happy New Year, Ally. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Robin, I’m happy to know this idea resonates with you, too. I don’t mean to be negative with it, just giving myself the opportunity to be freer.

      I wish that my word of the year experiences were more consistently empowering, but they haven’t been. Thus my resolution. I wish you well with you word of the year, perhaps this year the gods won’t laugh at you. Happy New Year to you, too.

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  53. I’m thinking about rejecting WordPress, because the Reader didn’t show new posts on a couple blogs I follow yesterday (including yours). But it’s sometimes the only way I can comment on certain blogs, so I guess I’m stuck with it. (Assumption: validated.) Our household is coming out of December and into 2023 so besieged with health issues and doctor/ vet appointments that I haven’t managed to even think about being proactive regarding the new year. It’s more like, “How do we get through the next month or two?” But I agree with you on sweet potatoes–I only like them in a spicy soup with black-eyed peas and cayenne.

    Liked by 1 person

    • AutumnAshbough, thank you for telling me about what WP didn’t do… again. I wondered if this post had shown up in Reader because my Dashboard Referrer box for yesterday didn’t show one person coming from within WP. And that’s unusual.

      I understand about how you haven’t had time to focus properly on 2023. I’m sorry to read about your family’s health issues, of course– but know you’ll get through it and be ready to tackle 2023 eventually.

      Sweet potatoes in a soup might be good. I’ll grant you that.

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  55. Love your list! (Although I just did pick a doozy of a word for the year.) (Doozy would also be a good word.)
    My rejection is that I have to drink white wine with certain foods. No. I don’t like white wine, I am not going to climb about that one, thanks awfully. Happy New Year!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Arlene, I am fond of the word doozy so I could be persuaded to consider it as a word of the year IF was doing a word of the year– which I am not.

      I know what you mean about wine rules. I drink wine that I like regardless of what I should be drinking according to the experts. I’m with you about your New Year’s Rejection. 🍷

      Liked by 1 person

  56. Funny, most of your rejections are things I’ve adopted in recent years! Sweet potatoes being an excellent example. I used to despise them, but they are too delicious and healthy to ignore. Add a dollop of butter, some flaky sea salt, and a twist of crushed red pepper, and voila! That’s one damn fine spud.

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  57. I love this idea, and I love all your rejections. I wholeheartedly reject sweet potatoes, too.

    One thing I am rejecting is the assumption that I enjoy a nightly glass of wine. I build up this “habit” over holidays and time with family, and then it seems like, “Well, it’s 6:00 pm, it’s time for a glass of wine!” But that’s… not true. So I am rejecting weekday wine. (I have to go through this rejection process several times a year, every year, because anytime I am with my parents/in-laws, I rebuilt that habit. Sigh.)

    Thanks for the shoutout! I feel that our Alexa is getting more brazenly marketing-y. She will randomly pipe up extra information about products we might want or volunteer something she thinks we’ll like based on the weather we requested her to tell us about. Maybe she’s just bored, but I’m thinking that she is rapidly outliving her usefulness.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Suzanne, it’s been fun to find out that I’m not alone when it comes to sweet potatoes. Who knew so many people disliked them? Maybe they’re just having a moment and will soon be yesterday’s news. I hope.

      I get why when you’re around certain people you need a glass of wine. As an introvert I feel the same way, but I also agree that it’s important to reject drinking every day when you can do so and retain your sanity. I like your weekday wine rejection idea and will add it as a corollary to my year of no cocktails.

      Our Alexa has been doing the same thing! Just recently in fact. She’ll blurt out something she thinks we might want to buy, or subscribe to, then wait for one of us to reply. It’s annoying and seems pushy. I dislike pushy, whether it’s a person or AI. 🤨

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  58. I don’t have Alexa and don’t want her. I also agree that potatoes should not be sweet! I love sweet things and I love potatoes, but that doesn’t mean I want a combination of the two. But mostly, I like the idea of New Year’s rejections more than resolutions!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ann, I’m right there with you about the wrongness of potatoes that are sweet. I like a sweet dessert after I eat a meal that includes savory potatoes. THAT makes sense.

      I stumbled onto this idea of New Year’s Rejections but once I did it seemed like a good way to envision what I want to happen next year. I’m creating additional space in my life by subtracting.

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  59. Thanks for an amusing new way of looking at the new year. I didn’t have your term in mind, but I did give up some things, like unsubscribing from email announcement of blog posts of blogs that didn’t amuse or inspire. I got overwhelmed by my overflowing email box for a few months. I couldn’t read anything for feeling I had to read everything.

    But Alexa? Oh, she’s my lady. Don’t be talking bad about my girl. We got a thing going on!

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    • Annie, I’ve never gotten any emails announcing blog posts BUT I know if I did I’d be just like you about feeling overwhelmed. I’d want to be conscientious about reading them all, so I’d read none. I get what happened to you.

      [I use Feedly to follow blogs, btw. It’s free with a paid version available too. It’s easy to use. It allows me to sort/control who I read and when because I put everyone into specific folders. I read a folder when I have time and I feel in control.]

      So you an Alexa are an item? I didn’t know but will try to keep my snarky opinions about her to myself.

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  60. Ally, I am ambivalent about choosing a WOTY, love sweet potatoes, don’t count steps, don’t sign-up for newsletters, and prefer wine but would never reject a good cocktail.

    I think in going through this exercise you did end up with a back door WOTY – Reject. It’s a word and it encompasses a philosophy for living. At this stage of life, it makes sense to narrow rather than expand. At the very least it implies conscious choice and a willingness to trust your gut. Yep, that’s your WOTY!

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  62. A novel idea to have New Year rejections. Clear out the closet. Inspiring positive via the negative. I like it. I like sweep potatoes but roasted is the way to go or paired with other veges in a soup.

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  63. Sorry, Ally, I am not rejecting cocktails or sweet potatoes, but I started early in December rejecting the counting of steps. Not that I ever started, but I don’t think I want to know the number of steps I take in the grocery store or walking down the apartment hallway to sift kitty litter. I’ll just keep guessing.

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  64. Wow! You make rejection fun! You also relieved me in your first rejection of newsletters. I’ve always thought I should create one, but I didn’t want to go to the trouble. I like my blog, I like my bloggers and their blogs. I don’t want MORE stuff, like newsletters. You’ve made my inner rejection feel not only okay, but RIGHT. 🙂 Thanks.
    I love love love spuds, but still bake a yam every other week or so. For the color. And cause I don’t have to dollop sour cream on it, which I MUST do on a spud because, it asks for it!
    I’m a red wine drinker, but would have a class of scotch, on ice, with you anytime.
    Love and new year hugs to you. xo

    Liked by 1 person

    • Pam, there must be something trendy about newsletters right now, recently. All of a sudden they’re everywhere demanding my attention, sometimes for a price, then leaving me feeling like I’ve wasted valuable minutes reading them [not to mention clogging my email]. I understand the marketing angle, but don’t want to be part of it.

      I’d be happy to meet you for drinks. I like white wine, but could be persuaded to have a shot of vodka on the rocks. Just no mixed drinks, okay?

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  65. As per, I am ridiculously late… Glad to see Pam is, too!
    I could never have an Alexa in my house or any other variation on that theme – they just creep me out and I feel we are already being watched all the time.
    As for newsletters, I am with you, Sister. I am also on the clean my blog list. I don’t use the Reader (maybe I should, then I wouldn’t SEE what I miss because it would not be cluttering up my inbox. Then again, then I would miss stuff like yours) but am considering doing so with certain multi-poster bloggers. Man, I have trouble keeping up with the daily ones. The ones who write 2-4-6 + blogs per day? C’mon…. I never realised how much anxiety it causes me to not be able to keep up. It’s sucked the joy out of blogging for me and that is a sad thing. Soooo… yeah.
    I love this list. I think we really need to choose how we live our lives for us. What makes us tick and never mind the others.
    Happy 2023 to you, Ally!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Dale, you’ve hit upon something I’ve been dealing with too. I feel stressed when I cannot keep up with bloggy friends, but those who post A LOT make it almost impossible for me to keep up. I use Feedly [that I like more than Reader] to follow blogs. Even with it I fall behind and feel anxious. Commenting has never been easy for me to begin with.

      I don’t know how to remain active in blogland, writing my own posts, then reading/commenting elsewhere. I want to be supportive but… 🤷‍♀️

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      • It is something else. I then tell myself there is no way they (the multi-posters) can really expect all their readers to keep up with all of them? Surely? I shall look into Feedly. Mind you, by changing how I ‘receive’ notifications, my inbox will drastically reduce. I shall keep those I really read and enjoy (like you 🙂 and a few others) and the rest can reside in Reader or Feedly or whatever and should I feel the urge to spend more time in blogland (honestly, we could spend ALL day and STILL not keep up!) then I shall.

        It is so hard. You do fabulously, though. I think we both are good bloggers in that sense. It’s not just about us. We also give.

        Liked by 1 person

        • You’ve said what I’ve come to see as the core of good blogging: it’s all about giving, not about receiving. I comment as often as I can BUT [shockingly] I do have a real life away from blogland. I agree that I hope that people who post often don’t really expect us to read everything they write. Pam once said that she reads one post a week from every blogger she follows. I liked that idea, but have found it difficult to do.

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  67. Good for you, Ally, rejecting things that don’t work for you. I have done that on occasion as well. Some things I came back to later, and others I found I didn’t miss at all. Good riddance! By the way, I love the Alexa stories you shared from your comments.

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    • Christie, I figure that if after one year I want to allow these things back into my life I will. And if not, I learned something. This seems like a win-win to me. I agree about the Alexa stories. I found myself shaking my head and laughing at the same time. She can be quite the little imp.

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  69. Some very good rejections, Ally. I”m not into word of the year either and I usually just drink wine or beer. Newsletters are okay in small doses, but I do keep track of my steps – they motivate me! As for Alexa, she doesn’t live in our house. Happy New Year!

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    • Barbara, I prefer wine and beer over cocktails, too, so rejecting mixed drinks isn’t going to be difficult. I started out liking newsletters, but the ones I received slowly morphed into advertisements that just happened to have a few scraps of info.

      Interesting that keeping track of your steps motivates you. I’m the opposite. Knowing that number just infuriates me to the point where I won’t walk just to show it who’s boss.

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  70. Ally, happy new year! Glad to see you back!
    The comments you posted were hilarious! I didn’t know Alexa came on the Kindle. I’ll make sure Alexa is not activated. She will stay unplugged in this household!

    Cocktails are expensive! I remember some coworkers took me to lunch when I started a new job. They ordered cocktails and wanted to split the bill. This happened more than once.😡Beware of coworkeres who do that!

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    • L. Marie, I learned lots about Alexa from the comment section on that last post. My Kindle is so old I don’t think Alexa could be on there.

      Yes cocktails are expensive. That’s how I got thinking about rejecting them for a year. I was drinking one that was *meh* and realized how much I’d spent on it. Seemed like I could easily do with any more mixed drinks, so I shall.

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  71. Ally, an interesting concept for the New Year and in 2020 I made the conscious New Year resolution to reject New Year resolutions. I realise now I should just have continued on the theme! When my step counter ended up in the washing machine I decided that was a sign to stop being OCD about noting them down every day – and I’ve felt much better since then! As for cocktails I’ve noticed that my son and his girlfriend seem to particularly enjoy these when my husband and I take them out for meals!😀 Bless, the joys of being a student!

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    • Annika, you were onto a good idea when you rejected resolutions. I’ve never found them helpful, but we all make them at some point in our lives.

      You washed your step counter? Oh that is funny– and a great way to end your relationship with it. I just tossed mine into a drawer. As for cocktails, they’re pricey and I just don’t like them enough to keep buying them. Good of you to spring for them for your son and his girlfriend, though.

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  72. Hi Ally, welcome back from your blogging break. I LOVE the idea of rejections for the new year. Your list is nice, neat, sweet (not too sweet), and manageable too. Plus, there is nothing really too tempting you to change your mind. I’m inspired, thank you!

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  73. I’ve decided I reserve the right to change my mind about anything. I’m not feeling gung ho about any resolutions at the moment, but maybe by February I will.

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    • Crystal, good point about reserving your right to change your mind when it seems like the thing to do. I’ll do the same thing about my rejections, although I am fairly certain I don’t like any of these things.

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  74. Hahaha @ the conversation with your friend that gave a post idea over what you’d reject this year. I love it and seems like the type of thing I’d laugh over with a friend too. I enjoyed seeing your list. And I tire over society telling us how we “should be”. I could never *keep to* things I *should do* this year lol. Rejecting it is much more fun 🙂

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    • Katy, the conversation morphed as they tend to do between friends. I didn’t mean to talk about New Year’s Rejections but once I got the idea that’s where I went with it. You’re right about the “shoulds” in life. I don’t need or want those anymore. Thus I reject things. Happy New Year, eh?

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  75. Oh, I love the idea of New Year’s rejections… it’s a nice twist and gives you a different perspective. Sometimes it’s easier to identify what you DON’T want rather than what you want and it’s a great start to eliminate stressors from your life.

    I am with you on the Newsletters. I want to like them, but everybody and their brother, is sending out newsletters these days and frankly, I don’t have time/want to read them. I’d rather read blogs where I interact with the lovely people behind them 🙂

    Happy New Year, Ally!

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    • San, when my friend and I got to talking about New Year’s Rejections it began to make sense. I can easily tell you what doesn’t work for me, so why not get it out of my way by openly rejecting it– and make room for the good stuff.

      I feel the same way as you do about Newsletters. Too many, too often, with too little value for me. I prefer communication that is interactive in the moment rather than detached from afar.

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  76. I dig your New Year’s Rejections; only, are gin martinis cocktails? Because while generally, I don’t drink fancy mixed drinks, I do like gin martinis.

    I totally get it about rejecting newsletters. Fortunately, or perhaps not, I’ve managed to subscribe to informative or, at least, interesting-to-read newsletters. I say “perhaps not” because I don’t have time to read them all. That, to me, is the real problem with newsletters. “They” say every author should have one, but who has time to read them all?

    I do track my walking and other fitness activities on my calendar. Just a habit I developed years ago, but for walking, I record the mileage. Somehow it’s more meaningful for me to know that I’ve walked two miles instead of however many steps. But this is just a habit and I walk because I want to walk, not because I feel compelled to get X number of steps.

    I will disagree with you about sweet potatoes and yams. I love those and especially like serving them up as french fries 🙂

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    • Marie, I feel the same way about vodka martinis. They’re a cocktail but I’ve decided IF I’m at a fancy restaurant I’ll have one DESPITE my declaration here. Classic martinis get a dispensation. 🍸

      Newsletters are having a moment. I know many resources say you have to have one so that you can compile a list of email addresses so that you have a built-in market for whatever you’re selling. It could be true, BUT if no one reads your newsletter what is the point? In my opinion and observation it’s more productive to make your online presence known on a blog or a website, publicly.

      I like knowing how many miles I walk, too. I don’t keep a log but I am aware of the miles when I choose where I’ll walk. As for sweet potatoes, you can have mine, okay?

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  77. I enjoyed hearing about your new year rejections Ally. I sense the last one was maybe little hard to let go of since you’ve been doing it so long, but you’re totally right, if something isn’t making you feel good then let it go. I think rejections may be the way forward, there are only so many things we can do before we have to start letting things go after all. I deeply admire your trust in yourself; is this something you’ve had to cultivate or is it more innate?

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    • Rae Cod, I still feel the pull of doing a word of the year, yes. I soooo want it to work for me because it’s a cool idea, but I’ve ended up disappointed in what happens so no mas.

      Trusting myself? Oh I’ve had to cultivate that ability. I never would have even considered not following the crowd when I was younger! Now I’ve learned about personal boundaries and following your heart. Works most of the time for me.

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  78. 2023 started with Himself & I coming down with a flu-bug that’s been going round over here. I’d be surprised if one wasn’t doing the rounds over there too, as our immune systems have gone downhill somewhat over the past years. We avoided Christmas with the grandbugs as they had it, only to catch it from the son-in-law at new year. I’m still rather cotton-wooly in truth, and struggling to catch up. I did a promised presentation to a network where I’m a member, but completely without preparation. Fortunately, it went well, but I’ve got a podcast in 2 weeks which I cannot risk winging it for.

    Between you & Christie, there’s lots of inspiration for my rejection list, which I was kinda building in my cotton-wooly head anyway. But I’ve still chosen a word of the year as I’m relatively new to it and it’s been a largely positive experience so far.

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    • Deb, I’m sorry you got the flu. A virulent strain of It is going around in this country too. My niece who’s working on her PhD had to cancel her research trip abroad because she has it. I know that it knocked her down and you, too, obviously. That sucks [I say as a mature adult].

      I’m seeing how this rejection list works out for me. It’s a first to make one although I reject ideas and things all over the place. I can say NO.

      I wish you well with your WOTY and your podcast. Not that they’re related but in that I’m sending good vibes your way.

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